HE has never designed our Indigenous guernsey but for the second year in a row former Port Adelaide captain Gavin Wanganeen is behind the art on the footballs that will be used during the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round.

Wanganeen was the first indigenous player to play 300 AFL games.

The premiership player with both Essendon and Port Adelaide also won the 1993 Brownlow Medal.

Since his retirement in 2006, the five-time All-Australian and member of the AFL’s Indigenous Team of the Century has established himself as an artist.

His unique and colourful design will feature on all the footballs used this weekend, both yellow and red.

“There are 18 circles and symbols on the football,” Wanganeen said.

“Each of those symbols represents an AFL football club because I wanted each for the clubs to be represented because they play a really important role for each of the Aboriginal boys who are chasing their dreams just like I did, and an opportunity to change their lives.

“When the players hold the footy, they can’t miss it because the design goes either side of the seam.

“I designed it so it would be really in their face when they kick a drop punt.”

Wanganeen designed a guernsey for his former club Essendon two years ago, but says seeing his artwork on the footballs at all games is a special honour.

“It makes me feel really proud to know that my design is used in every single AFL game over the indigenous round,” he said.

“Last year I did an interview on the sideline for Channel 7 about my design and what it meant and seeing the boys warming up with it was great.

“And then Shaun Burgoyne came over and told me he loved the design and asked for one, so it’s really nice when the players like it.”

Wanganeen worked with Sherrin to design the balls.

He said he always looked forward to the Sir Doug Nicholls Round, and he was proud to play a small part.

“It’s a celebration of Aboriginal people and culture but I think it also celebrates the contributions of the past Indigenous players who had it a lot harder than the current lot,” Wanganeen said.

“It’s an opportunity for every Australian to celebrate Indigenous culture and people and I think the AFL and the clubs have done a great job.

“It’s one of the great rounds during the season, and one I always look forward to.

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